RENDERING ANIMAL FAT FOR OILS - Part 2

On Friday I picked up the fat from the butcher, bartering with him, well I gave him a bottle of tomato sauce, a jar of pickles, and a jar of tomato relish.

I was prepared for .50c a kilo, for the fat as previously discussed. Upon handing over my goodies, he said, NO Charge for the fat!!! Brilliant...A butcher I will go to again and again...

So I brought home the fat and put it in the fridge...Over Saturday and Sunday I rendered the fat and turned it into oil for my soap, using it immediately to make the Low Allergy Soap.

First you have to remove any meat and blood spots that remain on the fat.

I then cut the fat into smaller diced pieces and added to the Whizzer.

Mincing the fat in the whizzer.

Melt the fat in a large pot over the stove....it must be on the smaller element on low....

(I once used the largest element and the fat started to smoke, even though it was on low. To save that batch I quickly put the pot of smoky oil in a sink of cold water to reduce the heat of the oil as quick as possible....You have to do this as soon as it smokes....and I can not recommend that it will always be saved. I was just lucky and acted quickly).

After straining the liquid fat, pour it into manageable sized vessels....and leave to set overnight on the bench. You will see that the fat in this jug has set and there is a small amount of waste on the bottom of the jug.

Scoop out the fat away from the waste and return to the stove.....When this was melted again, it formed a skin on the top...Strain it again, if you get this skin on top....you will now have a usable oil for soap making.

Seeing the oil was already melted, I started to make the LOW ALLERGY SOAP.

RENDERING ANIMAL FAT FOR OILS

It has come to my attention, that canola oil is not as healthy as I thought. There are many pesticides and growth hormones being introduced to the plant to provide better production.

I am slowly working towards a healthier future by eliminating as many chemicals out of our diet as I can.

I have seen that people are turning to the old traditions and rendering their own animal fat. I thought I would give it a try.

From 3 1/2 kg Pork Belly Fat I got this amount, although I haven't weighed it yet, I plan to use this lot for making soap.

This is once it has set, I will store this in the freezer until such time as I make my soap.
I am gathering some more animal fat on Friday from two more butchers. So I guess more rendering is in store for me on the weekend.

 In the future I will experiment with using it for frying foods as well.

Low Allergy Body Soap

Low Allergy "Body" Soap -

You can use this soft 'moist' soap

as a general use soap in the kitchen, workshop,and bathroom.

You will need the following items.

A large container for mixing the soap made of enamel, glass, stainless steal or earthen ware

A wooden spoon just for soap making

Soap moulds. I have used wooden trays, plastic containers, ice cream containers, all shapes and sizes of small containers such as margarine containers.

Rubber gloves

Eye protection

Ingredients

500 grams of caustic soda

1 ½ litres of rain water (or distilled water)

1.5 kg rendered animal fat 

1.5 kg of olive oil. (Please measure by weight.)

Directions

With great care and wearing the rubber gloves and some eye protection, add the caustic soda to the water in a large (18 litre) container and stir until dissolved. There will be a chemical reaction with will cause the water and caustic soda to heat up. This liquid will not only get hot it will now be capable of burning you like an acid so be very careful. Set aside to cool till lukewarm.

WARNING - Do not add water to caustic soda, you must add caustic soda to water - in that order.

In another pot heat the fat and olive oil until it is all liquid and add to the caustic solution. Stir for 5 minutes. At this stage you may add a small amount of essential oil to give the soap a fragrance. Pour into shallow containers lines with cotton material. Keep in a warm place for a day. Cut into bars. Let the soap rest for 6 weeks before using.